Meetings & Events

Greater Spokane Incorporated will hold a networking event, Business After Hours, on Thursday, May 19, from 5 to 7 p.m., at the Spokane Convention Center Riverside Exhibit Hall, 200 W. Spokane Falls Blvd., downtown. The event is free to members, and $10 for others. To register, visit www.greaterspokane.org. For more information, call 624-1393.

The Spokane Valley Chamber of Commerce will hold its Business Connections Breakfast on Friday, May 20, from 6:30 to 8:30 a.m., at the Meadowwood Technology Campus, 2100 N. Molter, in Liberty Lake. The cost is $25. Register at www.spokanevalleychamber.org. For more information, call 924-4994.

The Spokane-Nishinomiya Sister City Society is planning a series of events for 41 visitors from Nishinomiya, Japan. On Friday, May 20, there will be a welcome reception from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Davenport Hotel, 10 S. Post, downtown. The cost is $10. On Sunday, May 22, there will be a dedication ceremony at noon in the Japanese Garden, followed by a Bento lunch at 1 p.m., at Manito Park, on Spokane%u2019s South Hill. The cost for lunch is $10. An anniversary grand banquet will be held that evening at the Spokane Club, 1002 W. Riverside, downtown, from 5:30 to 8 p.m. The cost is $45. On Monday, May 23, there will be a farewell party at Arbor Crest Wine cellars, 4705 N. Fruit Hill Road, from 2 to 5 p.m. The cost is $20. For reservations, call Polly Kaczmarek at 455-5524.

The Spokane branch of the American Association of University Women will hold a luncheon meeting on Saturday, May 21, beginning at 10 a.m., at the Airport Holiday Inn, 1616 S. Windsor Drive, in West Spokane. LaRae Wiley, director of the Salish School of Spokane, will speak. The cost is $18. For reservations, contact Linda Krogh at 487-1080.

A Spokane River Forum Conference is scheduled for Monday, May 23, and Tuesday, May 24, from 8:15 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. both days, at CenterPlace Regional Event Center, 2426 N. Discovery Place, in Spokane Valley. Ted Sturdevant, director of the Washington state Department of Ecology, will give the keynote address. The cost is $75. To register, visit www.spokaneriver.net. For more information, call 535-7084.

LaunchPad Inland Northwest will hold a Professional Women%u2019s Community Luncheon on Wednesday, May 25, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 pm., at Avenues Event Center, 9320 E. Mission, in Spokane Valley. Linda Davis, marketing manager at MOR Manufacturing, will speak. To register, visit www.launchpadinw.com. For more information, call 981-8439.

BizStreet, the small-business program of Greater Spokane Incorporated, will host A Conversation with Stacey Cowles on Thursday, May 26, from 8 to 9:30 a.m., at 801 W. Riverside, downtown. To register, visit www.greaterspokane.org. For more information, call 624-1393.

The Spokane Home Builders Association will hold a Builders%u2019 Hall of Fame Gala and Reception on Thursday, May 26, beginning at 5:30 p.m., at The Davenport Hotel, 10 S. Post downtown. Sen. Michael Baumgartner will speak. Leonard Terzenbach, of Bell Anderson Insurance, and Vern Ziegler, of Ziggy%u2019s Lumber Co., will be honored. The cost is $50, or $90 for a couple. RSVP by May 20 to 532-4980.

Greater Spokane Incorporated will host the Agora Awards for Business Excellence on Wednesday, June 1, from 7 to 9:30 a.m., at The Davenport Hotel, 10 S. Post, downtown. The cost is $30 for members, and $40 for others. To register, visit www.greaterspokane.org. For more information, call 624-1393.

Workshops & Seminars

The Idaho Small Business Development Center will hold the following classes: Driving Restaurant Profits, on Thursday, May 19, from 5:30 to 9 p.m.; Managing People and Operations, on Friday, May 20, from 8:30 a.m. to noon; Guerilla Marketing 102 - Spending Too Much on Advertising?, on Tuesday, May 24, from 6 to 9 p.m.; Retail Success, on Thursday, May 26, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m., and Financial Management for Profit, on Friday, May 27, from 8:30 to noon. Classes cost $29, and are held at the Workforce Training Center, 525 W. Clearwater Loop, in Post Falls. To register, visit www.idahosbdc.org, or call (208) 769-3333.

The Northwest Mediation Center will hold a course in Basic Mediation Training, from Monday, May 23 to Friday, May 27, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day, at 35 W. Main, downtown. Brigid Duffield, author of The No BS Divorce Workbook, will present. The cost is $495. To enroll, visit www.nwmediationcenter.com or call 456-0103.

The Small Business Development Center will hold a workshop titled How to Buy a Franchise on Tuesday, May 24, from 1 to 3 p.m., at 665 N. Riverpoint Blvd, Suite 201. The cost is $18. For more information, visit www.wsbdc.org, or call 358-7890.

Conventions & Shows

Washington State Association of Fire Chiefs
May 23-27
Spokane Convention Center
Expected Attendance: 400

State Championship Week
High School Softball, Track and Field, and Golf
May 23-28
Various locations
Expected Attendance: 7,000